So you’ve got your studio set up and contacted the local council to get a tattoo, piercing and electrolysis license. Tattoo artists are required to have the license, with it being set up on display in your shop. This proves you’ve had all the equipment checked over, and have the right training. A big decision you’ll face next is figuring out how to dispose of your used tattoo needles.

As a business owner, you need to make sure your establishment is safe for both staff and customers. One studio faced a fine of £2,000 after leaving customers at risk of contracting infections and disease.

How to Dispose of Tattoo Waste

Disposing of tattoo waste is an important part of the duty of care process for clinics and clients. Legally, tattoo studios need to dispose of clinical waste in the correct fashion

  1. Collect and dispose of tattoo waste in clinical waste bins.
  2. All other items, cloths and other accessories, must be placed in the clinical waste bin too.
  3. Use a dedicated and legally compliant clinical waste disposal business.

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What Type of Waste Needs to go in Clinical Waste?

In a tattoo studio, all waste relating to giving a client a tattoo is clinical waste. This includes:

  • Gloves
  • Needles
  • Ink containers
  • Cloths
  • Shrink wrap
  • Cleaning supplies
  • Razors

Tattoo Needles: Sharps Waste

Under the 2005 Hazardous Waste Regulations, needles and sharps from Tattoo and body art shops, need to be disposed of in special containers called sharps bins.

Tattoo needles are classed as “sharps” which is any needle, blade which could an injury by cutting or pricking the skin. With tattoo needles, you and your employees must be very careful when disposing of used needles. A sharps injury could transmit potential blood-borne viruses like Hepatitis B & C and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) if you aren’t careful.

The best answer to preventing needle injury is to place the used needles into a sharps bin.

Tattooist drawing tattoo on client.

Sharps Bin For Tattooists

There are three different sharps bins to choose from: orange, yellow and purple. These different colours signify which type of needles go where. For tattoo artists, you would need an orange sharps bin.

This is true for all of the different variations of tattoo needle:

  • Round needles
  • Flat needles
  • Stacked magnum
  • Weaved magnum

Orange sharps bin are for needles that take blood. Orange sharps bins can also be used for sharp instruments with no contaminant on them. With needle bins inevitably filling up quite quickly, a regular disposal service does wonders.

Click Here to Call for an Instant Clinical Waste Quote

Tattoo Needle Disposal Service

Working with over 700 Tattooists nationwide, we understand the importance of staying compliant with waste disposal regulations. If you’re in need of a one-off or regular collection, we will be able to find the right deal that suits you.

Get in touch with us today, fill out the form below to get an instant free quote on your sharps bin collection & disposal.



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